Postdoctoral Scholar - Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The Postdoctoral Scholar will support research, laboratory operations, teaching, and grant development within the School of Agriculture and Food Systems, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. The position will provide shared technical support for Food Science and microbiology laboratories while conducting externally funded research in emerging areas of food science.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in digital food processing/manufacturing, including 3D food printing, and extraction/isolation of insect proteins and lipids for human food, bioenergy, and biofuel applications.
• Support USDA-funded research, including the Sun Grant, and contribute to preparation of competitive USDA-NIFA and other federal research proposals, including AFRI programs.
• Assist with development of USDA education proposals, including SPECA, A7801, and HEC, and implementation of funded educational activities.
• Provide shared laboratory technical support, including equipment set-up, calibration, routine maintenance, troubleshooting, laboratory organization, purchasing, supplies, and inventories.
• Support installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of new analytical instrumentation, including the rheometer, RT-PCR system, HORIBA Aqualog spectrofluorometer, and other Food Science laboratory equipment.
• Develop and maintain operating procedures and provide technical training and guidance to faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and other laboratory users.
• Assist with undergraduate and graduate Food Science instruction, laboratory preparation, demonstrations, experiential-learning activities, and student research.
• Support Food Science, School of Agriculture and Food Systems, and Davis College recruitment and engagement activities, including interactive demonstrations such as 3D food printing.
• Assist undergraduate and graduate students with research methods, instrumentation, data collection, analysis, scientific writing, presentations, and preparation of research outputs.
• Prepare manuscripts, technical reports, presentations, and other scholarly products resulting from research activities.
• Perform other related research, instructional, and laboratory-support duties consistent with the needs of the Food Science program and externally funded projects.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a closely related discipline, completed by the appointment start date.
• Research experience gained through doctoral training or subsequent employment in food processing, food chemistry, food microbiology, protein or lipid recovery, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience conducting laboratory experiments, operating analytical equipment, analyzing data, and preparing scientific manuscripts or technical reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with 3D food printing, protein and lipid extraction or characterization, insect biomass utilization, or conversion of agricultural by-products into value-added products.
• Experience with rheology, PCR-based methods, fluorescence spectroscopy, or comparable analytical techniques; equipment troubleshooting and laboratory operations.
• Experience mentoring students, providing laboratory instruction or technical training, and contributing to peer-reviewed publications or grant proposals.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of experimental design, statistical analysis, laboratory safety, and responsible research practices.
• Ability to plan and execute experiments independently, interpret results, maintain accurate records, and manage multiple project deadlines.
• Ability to operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and learn new analytical methods.
• Strong scientific writing and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain technical procedures to students and other laboratory users.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, and research partners and contribute to an organized, safe, and productive laboratory.
• Proficiency with software for data analysis, spreadsheets, scientific presentations, and document preparation.
  
  Application Instructions
• Submit an application through the WVU online employment posting for this position and include the following materials:
  • A cover letter describing research interests, relevant experience, and alignment with the position's responsibilities.
  • A current curriculum vitae, including publications and relevant technical skills.
  • Names, affiliations, email addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional references.

For questions about the position, contact Dr. Jacek Jaczynski at jacek.jaczynski@mail.wvu.edu. Applications must be submitted through the online posting.

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